Going Green on a Budget

Have you ever noticed that eating healthy can be a lot more expensive than eating foods full of fat and preservatives? It’s the same way with going green. Cleaners packed full of harmful chemicals are a lot cheaper than their natural alternatives. BPA-free containers usually cost more than regular plastic containers. Even energy efficient appliances come with a bigger price tag.

Most people I know want to be more environmentally friendly, but when budgets are limited, so is our commitment to the green movement. In her book entitled Shift Your Habit, Elizabeth Rogers details a number of relatively simple changes that could save an estimated $1,000 a year in utility costs for the average American family.

• Switching to a low-flow shower head that only puts out 1.5 gallons per minute can save up to $135 a year.
• Compact fluorescent and LED light bulbs save about $100 a year.
• Programmable thermostats can save up to $250 a year when set correctly.
• Sealing cracks and gaps around doors and windows can save $120 a year.
• Changing dirty air filters every three months can save $80 a year.
• Solar landscaping and porch lights can save $185 a year.
• Shade trees on the east and west sides of your home will enable you to use less air conditioning, saving you as much as $110 a year.
• Replacing grass with landscaping that doesn’t require as much water can save $80 a year.
• Programming sprinklers to water the yard before the sun comes up can save $20 a year.

These changes also conserve thousands of gallons of water, thousands of kilowatt hours and as much as 25 percent of your home’s energy. That’s good for our budgets and our environment.

Of course, these changes may cost you some money upfront, so budget accordingly. Shower heads, light bulbs, weather stripping, new air filters and even solar lighting can be affordable on their own, but the cost can add up if you buy them all at one time. As long as we are moving in the right direction, every change is a good change.

How does your family go green on a budget? Leave a comment hear so we can continue the conversation.